Trace-carrier.



' s. W. OOFPM-ANL TRAGE GARRIER. 1 APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1, 1909.

976,636. Patented Nov. 22, 1910. 6

, Said}: Wflgfman.

SALAH W. COFFMAN, 0F KEOTA, IOWA.

TRACE-CARRIER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. November 1, 1909.

Patented Nov. 22, 1910.

Serial No. 525,789.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SALAH W. GOFFMAN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Keota, in the county of Keokuk and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trace- Garriers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to improvements in trace carriers or holders, and has for its object to provide a carrier,which, while exceedingly simple in construction and cheap to manufacture, will be durable and efficient in use and so positioned with respect to the harness and the animal as not to be in the gther objects and advantages of my invention will appear in the course of the following specification.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of my trace carrier showing portions of the straps which are connected thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, partly sectional, view of a portion of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, which illustrates the preferred embodiment of my invention, 1 designates the base of the carrier, which is preferably oblong in shape with rounded corners, as illustrated. The base 1 is superimposed upon a piece of leather or other suitable material 2 in order to form a protector for the back of the animal. Centrally of the top of the base 1 is an upstanding support or projection 3, having in the top thereof a longitudinally eX- tending slot 4:. In the slot t is mounted a cross piece 5, the central portion of which is rectangular in shape and fits in the slot. The cross piece is held in position in the slot by means of the head 7 of a pin or rivet 8, the shank of which passes through a perforation 9 in the cross piece and a registering perforation 10 in the support 3. The perforation 10 enters or terminates in an enlarged cylindrical aperture 11 formed in the bottom of the base plate 1 and the sup port 3 and in the aperture 11 is positioned a coil spring 12, through which passes the shank of the pin 8 to a washer 13 at the underside of the spring, to which washer the end of the pin is suitably connected. The expansion of the spring against the washer 13 holds the cross piece 5 down in the slot in which it is positioned, while the slot 4: effectually prevents any lateral movement. The cross piece, which extends longitudinally of the base plate 1, has its oppositely disposed end portions 141, 14:, tapered and terminated in balls or knobs 14*, 14

Disposed in spaced relation, one on either side of the support 3, are two upstanding, inwardly-curved arms or horns 15, 15, each provided with a ball or knob 15 at the end thereof. The balls or knobs 15 contact with the balls or knobs 14 as shown, for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

My trace carrier or holder is so positioned with respect to the harness that when it is on the back of the animal it is over the hips. The base plate 1, at each opposite end, is provided with a slot 17, and through each slot 17 from above, is passed the upper end of a hip strap 16, which upper ends are folded under and secured to their respective hip straps. The forward back strap 18 is passed through a slot 19 in the side of the base plate-and has its end turned under, and then the strap with its turned-under portion is sewed down on the leather protector 2. The back strap 20 leading to the crupper is also passed through a slot 21 in the other side of the base plate and turned under and then the back strap and the turned-under portion are sewed down on the leather protector 2. The two back straps 18 and 20 being sewed down on the leather protector securely hold it in position.

When a harness, provided with my trace carrier is on an animal and the animal is not hooked to a vehicle the cockeye 22 at the end of the trace 23 is pressed between the balls or knobs 14 and 15 the spring 12 permitting this to be readily accomplished. The

trace is just as readily released from the carrier by simply pulling the cockeye upward and between the balls or knobs. While I have shown but one trace and its cockeye, the trace on the other side of the animal is handled in the same manner. It is apparent with my trace carrier that a trace provided with a cockeye or other eye, et cetera, can be instantly placed on the carrier and as readily removed.

hat I claim is 2- A device of the character described, comprising a base plate, a standard mounted thereon, a pair of arms positioned at opposite ends of said standard, a longitudinal through said openings and normally retainseat formed in the upper surface of said ing said cross arm in said seat. 10 standard, a cross arm mounted in said seat, In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my the ends of said cross arm contacting with signature in presence of two Witnesses.

said first mentioned arms, said cross arm be- SALAH W. COFFMAN. ing provided With an aperture, said aper- WVitnesses: ture being of greater diameter at its lower OTHA F. COFFMAN,

end than at its upper end, and a pin passing JEROME B. OoHs. 

